Contents

And thus it was a Fourth Age of Middle-earth began. And the Fellowship of the Ring, though eternally bound by friendship and love, was ended.

How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand... there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep, that have taken hold.

Sons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me! A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the age of Men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand! Men of the West!

For Frodo.

[To the four Hobbits of the Fellowship, following Mordor's defeat] My friends... you bow to no one.

They guard it because they have hope. Faith and fading hope that one day it will flower.

[To Pippin, in the extended edition] They guard it because they have hope. Faith and fading hope that one day it will flower. That a king will come and this city will be as it once was before it fell into decay. The old wisdom that was borne out of the West was forsaken. Kings made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living and counted the names of their descent dearer than the names of their sons. Childless lords sat in aged halls musing on heraldry or in high, cold towers asking questions of the stars. And so the people of Gondor fell into ruin. The line of Kings failed, the White Tree withered, and the rule of Gondor was given over to lesser men.

[to Pippin]: Now, listen carefully. Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise. And do not mention Frodo, or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either. [hesitates] In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took.

Of all the inquisitive hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst!

We come to it at last.

The board is set. The pieces are moving.

This is no place for a Hobbit!

[to soldiers panicking from the attacking Ringwraiths] Hold them back! Do not give into fear! Stand to your posts! FIGHT!

They cursed us. 'Murderer', they called us. They cursed us, and drove us away! And we wept, precious. We wept to be so alone. And we forgot the taste of bread, the sound of trees, the softness of the wind. We even forgot our own name. My precious.

Reform the line. Reform the line! Sound the charge; take them head on! Charge!!

Denethor: You may triumph on the field of battle for a day, but against the power that is risen in the East, there is no victory!

Arwen: From the ashes, a fire shall be woken. A light from the shadow shall spring. Renewed shall be blade that was broken. The crownless again shall be king.

Legolas: [talking to Aragorn] The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East, a sleepless malice...The Eye of the Enemy is moving. [reacts with horror as he sense Pippin looking into the Palantir] He is here!

Éomer: [to Éowyn, about Merry] You know as little of war as that Hobbit. When the fear takes him, and the blood, and the screams, and the horrors of battle take hold, do you think he would stand and fight? He would flee. And it would be right to do so. War is the province of Men, Éowyn.

Theoden: Reform the line. Reform the line! Sound the charge; take them head on! Charge!!

[Déagol refuses, and the two get into a fight that ends with Sméagol strangling him to death. Sméagol then takes the Ring]

Sméagol: My... Precious...

[Smeagol puts the ring in his finger, causing him to be transported into the wraith-world; the scene changes to the Misty Mountains where Smeagol is transforming into Gollum]

Gollum: [voice over] They cursed us. 'Murderer', they called us. They cursed us, and drove us away!

Sméagol: [coughs] Gollum! Gollum! Gollum!

Gollum: [voice over] And we wept, precious. We wept to be so alone. And we forgot the taste of bread, the sound of trees, the softness of the wind. We even forgot our own name. My precious.

[The following only appears in the Extended Edition]

Saruman: You have fought many wars and slain many Men, Théoden king, and made peace afterwards. Can we not take council together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?

Théoden: We shall have peace. We shall have peace, when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace, when the lives of the soldiers, whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the Gates of the Hornburg, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet, for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace!

Saruman: Gibbets and crows?! Dotard! [to Gandalf] What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess - the Key of Orthanc? Or perhaps the keys of Barad-dûr itself, along with the crowns of the Seven Kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!

Gandalf the White: Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk. But you could save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's council.

Saruman: [smiling] So you have come here for information. I have some for you. [holds out the Palantír] Something festers in the heart of Middle Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now, he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You are all going to die. But you know this, don't you, Gandalf? [indicates Aragorn] You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the Throne of Gondor! This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king! Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the halfling, before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death.

Théoden: Gríma! You need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a Man of Rohan! Come down.

Saruman: "A Man of Rohan"? What is the House of Rohan, but a thatched barn, where brigards drink in the reek, and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs?! The victory at Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Théoden Horse-Master! You are a lesser son of greater sires!

Théoden: [to Gríma] Gríma, come down. Be free of him.

Saruman: Free?! He will never be free!

Gríma Wormtongue: No.

Saruman: Get down, cur! [hits him across the face]

Gandalf the White: Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's council. Tell us what you know.

Saruman: You withdraw your guard and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here!

[From behind him, Gríma suddenly stabs him in the back numerous times. Legolas shoots him with an arrow to the heart, killing him, while Saruman topples from Orthanc to his death on a spiked wheel below]

Gandalf the White: There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantír a glimpse of the Enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our Enemy one thing. He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the Peoples of Middle Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the Throne of Men. If the Beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war.

Théoden: Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?

Aragorn: I will go.

Gandalf the White: No.

Aragorn: They must be warned.

Gandalf the White: They will be. You must come by another road. Follow the River. Look to the Black Ships. Understand this. Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. [Glances at Pippin] And I won't be going alone.

Arwen: But there is also life. You saw there was a child. You saw my son.

Elrond: That future is almost gone.

Arwen: But it is not lost.

Elrond: Nothing is certain.

Arwen: Some things are certain: if I leave him now, I will regret it forever.

Gandalf the White: Hail, Denethor, Son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor. I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel.

Denethor: Perhaps you come to explain this? [holds up Boromir's broken horn] Perhaps you come to tell me why my son is dead?

Pippin Took: Boromir died to save us, my kinsman and me. He fell, defending us from many foes.

Gandalf the White: Pippin!

Pippin Took: [kneels before Denethor] I offer you my service, such as it is, in payment of this debt.

Denethor: This is my first command to you. How did you escape and my son did not, so mighty a Man as he was?

Pippin Took: The mightiest Man may be slain by one arrow. Boromir was pierced by many.

Gandalf the White: Get up! [to Denethor] My Lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir, but it is not now. War is coming. The Enemy is on your doorstep! As Steward, you are charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor's armies? You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Théoden of Rohan. Light the beacons.

Denethor: You think you are wise, Mithrandir, yet for all your subtleties you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor and with your right you would seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Théoden of Rohan. Oh, yes. Word has reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I tell you now, I will not bow to this Ranger from the North! Last of a ragged house, long bereft of Lordship.

Gandalf the White: Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the King, Steward!

Denethor: The rule of Gondor is mine! And no other's!

Gandalf the White: All has turned to vain ambition! He would even use his grief as a cloak! A thousand years this city has stood. Now, at the whim of a madman, it will fall. And the White Tree, the Tree of the King, will never bloom again.

Pippin Took: Why are they still guarding it then?

Gandalf the White: They guard it because they have hope. A faint and fading hope, that one day it will flower. A King will come, and this city will be as it once was. Before it fell into decay. The old wisdom born out of the West was forsaken. Kings made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living, and counted the names of their descent dearer than the names of their sons. Childless lords sat in aged halls, musing on heraldry, or in high cold towers asking questions of the stars. And so, the people of Gondor fell into ruin. The line of Kings failed. The White Tree withered. The rule of Gondor was given over to lesser men.

Pippin Took: [staring towards Mordor] Mordor.

Gandalf the White: Yes, there it lies. This city has dwelt ever in the sight of its shadow.

Pippin Took: A storm is coming.

Gandalf the White: This is not the weather of the world. This is a devise of Sauron's making, a broil of fume he sends ahead of his host. The Orcs of Mordor have no love of daylight. So he covers the face of the sun to ease their passage along the road to war. When the shadow of Mordor reaches this city, it will begin.

Pippin Took: Well, Minas Tirith, very impressive. So where are we off to next?

Gandalf the White: Oh, it's too late for that, Peregrin. There's no leaving this city. Help must come to us.

Samwise Gamgee: Must be getting near teatime. Leastways it would be in decent places where there is still teatime.

Sméagol: We're not in decent places.

[Sam turns back to Frodo, who has paused suddenly]

Samwise Gamgee: Mr. Frodo? What is it?

Frodo Baggins: It's just a feeling. I don't think I'll be coming back.

Samwise Gamgee: Yes, you will. Of course you will. That's just morbid thinking. We're going there and back again, just like Mr. Bilbo. You'll see.

Pippin Took: [looking at his armor] So, I imagine this is just a ceremonial position. I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting. Do they?

Gandalf the White: You're in the service of the Steward now. You're going to have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took, Guard of the Citadel!

Pippin Took: It's so quiet.

Gandalf the White: It's the deep breath before the plunge.

Pippin Took: I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse. Is there any hope, Gandalf... for Frodo and Sam?

Gandalf the White: There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope. Our enemy is almost ready, his full strength gathered. Not only Orcs, but men as well; legions of Haradrim from the South, mercenaries from the coast- All will answer Mordor' s call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammerstroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at Osgiliath falls, the last defence of this city will be gone.

Pippin Took: But we have the White Wizard. That's got to count for something. [Gandalf does not answer] Gandalf?

Gandalf the White: Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant. The one who will lead Mordor's armies in war. The one they say no living Man can kill. The Witch-King of Angmar! You've met him before. He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop. He is the Lord of the Nazgûl, the greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair.

Faramir: Mithrandir! They broke through our defenses! They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river.

Irolas: It is as the Lord Denethor predicted. Long has he foreseen this doom.

Gandalf: Foreseen and done nothing!

[Faramir stares at Pippin]

Gandalf: Faramir? This is not the first halfling to have crossed your path.

Faramir: No.

Pippin: You've seen Frodo and Sam?

[Faramir nods, both Gandalf and Pippin show a sign of relief]

Gandalf: Where? When?

Faramir: In Ithilien. Not two days ago. Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul Vale.

Sam: Oh, my! I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to go so far. I was just so, so angry. Here, let's, let's just rest a bit.

Frodo: I'm all right.

Sam: No. You're not all right. You're exhausted. It's that Gollum. It's this place. It's that thing around your neck. I could help a bit. I could carry it for a while. [The words echo in Frodo's mind] Carry it for a while...I could carry it...I could carry it...Share the load...Share the load...The load...The load...

[Frodo pushes Sam away upon hearing the echoes]

Frodo: Get away!!

Sam: I don't want to keep it! I just want to help.

[A smiling Gollum appears behind Frodo]

Gollum: See? See? He wants it for himself.

[Frodo looks at Sam in shock]

Sam: Shut up, you! Go away! Get out of here!

Frodo: No, Sam. It's you. I'm sorry, Sam.

[Gollum smirks; his plan is working]

Sam: But he's a liar. He's poisoned you against me!

Frodo: You can't help me anymore.

Sam: You don't mean that.

Frodo: Go home.

[Sam breaks down in tears, as Frodo and Gollum leave to continue their climb to Mordor]

Éomer: [about Merry] You should not not encourage him.

Éowyn: You should not doubt him.

Éomer: I do not doubt his heart. Only the reach of his arm.

Éowyn: Why should Merry be left behind? Why can he not fight for those he loves?

Éomer: You know as little of war as that Hobbit. When the fear takes him, and the blood, and the screams, and the horrors of battle take hold, do you think he would stand and fight? He would flee. And it would be right to do so. War is the province of Men, Éowyn.

The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the Ranger. Become who you were born to be.

Theoden: I take my leave.

Aragorn: My Lord Elrond.

Elrond: I come on behalf of one whom I love. Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The Shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end has come.

Aragorn: It will not be our end but his.

Elrond: You ride to war, but not to victory. Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, this you know. But, in secret he sends another force which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the south. They'll be in the city in two days. You're outnumbered, Aragorn. You need more men.

Aragorn: There are none.

Elrond: There are those who dwell in the mountain.

Aragorn: Murderers. Traitors. You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing. They answer to no one.

Elrond: They will answer to the king of Gondor. [pulls out Anduril] Anduril, Flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil.

Aragorn: Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil. The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith.

Elrond: The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the Ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt Road. Ónen i-estel edain. ("I give hope to mankind")

Aragorn: Ú-chebin estel anim. ("I keep none for myself")

[Aragorn readies to take the Paths of the Dead. He leads his horse towards the entrance and passes by Gimli, who stops him]

Gimli: Where do you think you're going?

Aragorn: Not this time, Gimli. This time you must stay.

[Legolas walks up to them, leading his horse]

Legolas: Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?

Gimli: You may as well accept it. We're going with you, laddy.

Legolas: [reading the inscription over the cave] The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut.

Aragorn: I do not fear death.

[Aragorn enters, followed by Legolas]

Gimli: Well this is a thing unheard of! An Elf will go underground, when a Dwarf dare not! [enters] Oh, I'd never hear the end of it!

King of the Dead: The Dead do not suffer the living to pass.

Aragorn: You will suffer me. [the King of the Dead laughes and summons his army]

King of the Dead: The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut, and now you must die!

Aragorn: I summon you to fulfill your oath!

King of the Dead: None but the king of Gondor may command me. [swings sword; Aragorn blocks him with the sword Anduril] That blade was broken!

Aragorn: [takes him by the throat] It has been remade. [he releases the King of the Dead] Fight for us, and reclaim your honour! What say you? What say you?!

Gimli: You waste your time, Aragorn! They had no honour in life; they have none now in death!

Aragorn: I am Isildur's Heir! Fight for me, and I will hold your oaths fulfilled! WHAT SAY YOU?!

[extended scene]

Gandalf: Go back to the Abyss! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your master!

Witch-King: Do you not know death when you see it, old man?! [Pippin screams] This is MY hour!

[At this point, the Witch-king draws his sword and holds it aloft; the blade is enclosed in a fiery vortex. Gandalf's staff shatters. Gandalf falls off Shadowfax]

Witch-King: You have failed. The world of Men will fall.

[As the Witch King pulls back his sword for the death blow, a horn blows in the distance; the army of Rohan has arrived. With a shriek of fury, the Witch King departs to confront the new threat]

Theoden: Eomer. Take your Èored down the left flank. Gamling, follow the King's banner down the center. Grimbold, take your company right, after you pass the wall. Forth, and fear no darkness! Arise! Arise, Riders of Theoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day... a red day... ere the sun rises! [The Rohirrim and Orcs ready their weapons for battle]

Theoden: Forth, Eorlingas![To a chorus of horns, the Rohirrim army charges]

Pippin Took: I didn't think it would end this way.

Gandalf the White: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path. One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass... then you see it!

Pippin Took: What? Gandalf? See what?

Gandalf the White: White shores... and beyond. A far green country, under a swift sunrise.

Pippin Took: Well, that isn't so bad.

Gandalf the White: [smiles] No... no, it isn't.

Witch-King: [referring to King Théoden] Feast on his flesh.

[Éowyn, in a warrior's uniform, suddenly appears, standing between the Witch-King and the fallen King Théoden]

Éowyn: I will kill you if you touch him!

Witch-King: Do not come between the Nazgûl and his prey!

Witch-King: You fool! No Man can kill me. Die now!

[Merry suddenly appears and stabs the Witch-King in the leg, dropping the Witch-King to his knees. Éowyn takes off her helmet, revealing herself]

Éowyn: I am no Man.

[She stabs the Witch-King straight into his face, killing him]

Théoden: [dying] I know your face. Éowyn, my eyes darken.

Éowyn: No, no. I'm going to save you.

Théoden: You already did. Éowyn, my body is broken. You have to let me go. I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company, I shall now not be ashamed. Éowyn. [dies]

We can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves.

Gandalf the White: Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening.

Aragorn: If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it.

Gandalf the White: It's only a matter of time. He's suffered a defeat, yes, but... behind the walls of Mordor, our enemy is regrouping.

Gimli: Let him stay there. Let him rot! Why should we care?

Gandalf the White: Because ten thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death.

Aragorn: No. There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time... and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that.

Gimli: How?

Aragorn: Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.

Éomer: We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms.

Aragorn: Not for ourselves. But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves.

Legolas: A diversion.

Gimli: Certainty of death, small chance of success... What are we waiting for?

Gandalf the White: Sauron will suspect a trap, he will not take the bait.

Aragorn: Oh, I think he will.

Aragorn: Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth!

[The following only appears in the Extended Edition]

Aragorn: Let justice be done upon him!

[The Black Gate opens as the Mouth of Sauron comes to meet them]

The Mouth of Sauron: My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome. [smiles] Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?

Gandalf the White: We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed. Tell your master this: the armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return.

The Mouth of Sauron: Ahh, old Greybeard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee. [reveals Frodo's mithril vest and throws it at them]

Pippin: [whispers] Frodo...

Gandalf: Silence.

Merry: No!

Gandalf: Silence!

The Mouth of Sauron: The halfling was dear to thee, I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf, he did. [Aragorn rides towards the Mouth of Sauron] And who is this? Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a King than a broken Elvish blade...

[Aragorn cuts off the Mouth of Sauron's head with one stroke of Anduril]

Gimli: I guess that concludes negotiations.

Aragorn: [to Gandalf] I do not believe it! I will not!

Gimli: I never thought I'd die fighting side-by-side with an Elf.

Legolas: What about side-by-side with a friend?

Gimli: Aye... I could do that.

Samwise Gamgee: Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It'll be spring soon, and the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they'll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields. And they'll be eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?

Frodo Baggins: No, Sam. I can't recall the taste of food, nor the sound of water, nor the touch of grass. Instead, I'm... naked in the dark. There's nothing. No veil between me and the wheel of fire! I can see him... with my waking eyes!

Samwise Gamgee: Then let us be rid of it! Once and for all! Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you! Come on! [carries Frodo]

Gandalf the White: Farewell, my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea... comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are an evil. [heads to the ship, then turns around, waiting] It is time, Frodo.

Samwise Gamgee: What does he mean?

Frodo Baggins: We set out to save the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved... But not for me.

Samwise Gamgee: [crying] You don't mean that. You can't leave.

Frodo Baggins: [hands Sam the Red Book] The last pages are for you, Sam.

[last lines]

Frodo Baggins: [voice over] My dear Sam. You cannot always be torn in two. You have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. Your part in the story will go on.